Page 44 of Appointment in Bath

His fingers clenched so hard around his pen, the quill threatened to snap.

“Lord Allendale,” he spat, glaring up at her. “Lord Allendale. Do you have any inkling who that man truly is? He’s a baseborn nobody! A bastard. Everyone knows it.”

Meg recoiled from his anger. But she wasn’t wholly surprised by his accusation. She’d heard some of the old rumors from Mrs. Church and Mrs. Stapleton. The earl had been the product of his father’s brief union with a lowly kitchen maid. Some still whispered that it had been an illegitimate union, but the old earl—the present earl’s grandfather—had had his son’s marriage lines. He’d long ago proven that his grandson was no bastard.

“Why would you say th-that?” she asked.

“I knew him of old. We were raised together, Me, Margaret, and him. He was no heir to an earldom then, that much I can tell you. He had more in common with the stables than he did with fortune and breeding. A feral wolf in sheep’s clothing, as likely to steal your jewels as a common highway robber.”

“I don’t b-believe it.”

“You don’t, do you? You think him too elegant and charming to resort to such tactics? To rob someone? To wound them? And why do you suppose my right shoulder pains me whenever the weather turns? That is a remnant of your great Lord Allendale’s civility.”

Meg was almost afraid to ask. “How do you m-mean?”

“He shot me, point blank, the blackguard. Cold-blooded as they come. And it’s the arm with which I hold my whip. Never could ride as well after that. Indeed, you might say my present injury is down to him. Had my shoulder been in better order, I might have—”

“You surely can’t blame Lord Allendale for your horse f-faltering at that fence!”

“I do blame him!” her father retorted. “For that and more. He’s a conniving opportunist. Traits he’s passed on to those sons of his, you can believe it.”

She shook her head. “I d-don’t. You’ve never even m-met Mr. Beresford.”

“Ivo Beresford,” he said scornfully. “Is that what he’s called? I suppose you thought him the handsomest devil in five counties.”

“He is handsome.”

“Aye, I’ll bet he is, the lustful dog. I know the look of him. Just like his father.” His words dripped with contempt. “Stupid girl. To have your head turned by such a pathetic specimen of a gentleman.”

Meg’s fingers curled into fists in front of her. “You accuse him of n-not being a gentleman, and yet, you would address your own d-daughter in that fashion?”

“I’ll address my own daughter as I see fit.”

“You are unworthy, sir.”

His gaze shot to hers. A vein pulsed in his forehead. “Tell me, then,” he said in a tone of dangerous calm. “What was this golden prince like? What compliments did he ply you with to win your devotion? For you must be far gone indeed to have found your voice at last.”

Heat burned in her face. “He isn’t like th-that.”

“You’ve met him but once and are already an authority?”

“No,” she said. “I only listened to him.” It wasn’t a lie. She’d listened to Ivo on all the occasions they’d met. He was that energetic and engaging. Whenever he spoke, he held Meg in thrall.

Sir Frederick snorted. “He has something to say, does he? About me, I don’t doubt.”

“No indeed,” she protested. “He n-never speaks of the past. N-Not hardly at all. It’s the future he talks about.”

“What is that supposed to mean? The future? What future?” Her father’s eyes drooped under the weight of his sinking russet brows. “If you mean to tell me he’s spun you some fool’s story about his intentions toward you—”

“Why a f-fool’s story?” she interjected before she could stop herself. “What’s f-foolish in the idea that Mr. Beresford m-might have intentions toward me?”

“Many a rake has employed similar tactics in order to dishonor a girl. I won’t have my daughter taken advantage of by any man, least of all a Beresford.” He gripped his desk. “What lies has he told you? What promises has he made?”

Meg exhaled an exasperated breath. “You’ve g-got it all wrong. It’s the railway he thinks of, not young ladies. That’s the future he talked about at dinner. He spent most of the evening in discussion with Mr. Pinnock.”

“Pinnock!”

“Mr. Beresford has already m-met with Mr. Standish and Mr. Horsley. They all agree with his p-plan to bring the railway to Maidenbridge. It only remains for you and Lord and Lady Allendale to lend your support.”